Windshield wiper device

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the special feature that the connecting device comprises at least two parts provided with protrusion/hole features for detachably connecting the parts together, wherein the first part is retained onto the wiper blade and wherein the second part has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of its connection to said first part, wherein each leg of said U-shaped cross-section is allowed to bend outwardly upon insertion of the oscillating arm into said second part for connecting said first and second parts together through a snapping operation.

The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper bladeof a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinalgrooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apartlongitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, whereinneighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by arespective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises aconnecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating armis pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis nearone end.

Such a windscreen wiper device is generally known. This prior artwindscreen wiper device is designed as a “yokeless” wiper device,wherein no use is made of several yokes pivotally connected to eachother, but wherein the wiper blade is biassed by the carrier element, asa result of which it exhibits a specific curvature.

In practice it has become apparent that, during use of the knownwindscreen wiper device, high forces are exerted on the connectionbetween the connecting device and the oscillating arm. As a consequencethereof the wiper blade may get loose from the oscillating arm.

The object of the invention is to provide a windscreen wiper device,wherein the connecting device and the oscillating arm are connected inan improved manner, using a minimum of parts.

Thereto, a windscreen wiper device of the type referred to in theintroduction is characterized according to the invention in that saidconnecting device comprises at least two parts provided withprotrusion/hole means for detachably connecting said parts together,wherein the first part is retained onto the wiper blade and wherein thesecond part has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section at thelocation of its connection to said first part, wherein each leg of saidU-shaped cross-section is allowed to bend outwardly upon insertion ofthe oscillating arm into said second part for connecting said first andsecond parts together through a snapping operation. Preferably, each legof said U-shaped cross-section is bendable between a first position,wherein said first and second parts are connected together through asnapping operation upon insertion of the oscillating arm into saidsecond part, and a second position, wherein said first and second partsare released from each other upon removing the oscillating arm from saidsecond part. In other words, sliding the oscillating arm into the secondpart of the connecting device results in the legs of the U-shapedcross-section being bend outwardly. As a result the first and the secondparts of the connecting device are automatically snapped, that isclipped onto each other, using the protrusion/hole means. Both parts areautomatically released from each other by sliding the oscillating armoff the second part of the connecting device.

In one preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordancewith the invention said first part is provided with opposite abuttingsurfaces for abutting against the legs of the U-shaped cross-section,wherein a protrusion extends laterally outwardly from each leg of theU-shaped cross-section into a hole provided on an abutting surfaceabutting against a respective leg. In the alternative or in additionthereto, said first part is provided with opposite abutting surfaces forabutting against the legs of the U-shaped cross-section, wherein aprotrusion extends laterally inwardly from each abutting surface into ahole provided on a leg abutting against a respective abutting surface.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the second part is positioned at least substantiallywithin said first part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention said first part comprises engaging membersmade integral therewith for engaging around the longitudinal sides ofthe longitudinal strips that face away from each other. In other words,the engaging members each form a groove for introducing the longitudinalstrips therein, so that the first part of the connecting device isfirmly retained onto the wiper blade. In order to enhance the retentionthereof the the engaging members may be welded, soldered, brazed orglued to the longitudinal strips.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention said second part comprises at least one resilienttongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in theoscillating arm, wherein said resilient tongue is rotatable along ahinge axis between an outward position retaing the wiper blade onto theoscillating arm and an inward position releasing the wiper blade fromthe oscillating arm. Particularly, the counterforce exerted by theoscillating arm on the resilient tongue engages at a point locatedbehind the hinge axis, seen in the direction of the force exerted on thewiper blade. In other words, said moment of force ensures in a naturalway that the resilient tongue is forced automatically in its outwardposition, that is its position retaining the wiper blade onto theoscillating arm.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the hinge axis is located near an outeredge of said joint part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention said hole has a closed circumference. In thealternative, said hole has an open circumference.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention said windscreen wiper device is providedwith first and second retaining means for retaining said connectingdevice onto said oscillating arm, wherein said first retaining meanscomprises said at least one resilient tongue engaging in saidcorrespondingly shaped hole, and wherein said second retaining meanscomprise at least one protrusion provided on the first part engaging theoscillating arm. Particularly, said protrusion engages into acorrespondingly shaped hole with a closed circumference provided on theoscillating arm. More in particular, said protrusion engages into acorrespondingly shaped hole with an open circumference provided on alongitudinal side of the oscillating arm. Even more in particular, saidprotrusion engages into a correspondingly shaped recess provided on theoscillating arm.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference tofigures illustrated in a drawing, wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of awindscreen wiper device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows various successive steps for fitting the connecting deviceand the oscillating arm of FIG. 1 together;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, schematic view of the first and the secondparts of the connecting device of FIG. 2, seen from beneath and formabove, respectively;

FIG. 4 refers to a perspective, schematic view of the free end of theoscillating arm of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective, schematic view of the first part of theconnecting device and the free end of the oscillating arm in accordancewith another preferred embodiment, seen from above, respectively; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective, schematic view of the first part of theconnecting device and the free end of the oscillating arm in accordancewith yet another preferred embodiment, seen from above, respectively.

FIG. 1 shows a windscreen wiper device 1 of the “yokeless” typeaccording to the invention. Said windscreen wiper device is built up ofan elastomeric wiper blade 2, in the longitudinal sides of whichopposing longitudinal grooves 3 are formed, and of longitudinal strips 4made of spring band steel, which are fitted in said longitudinal grooves3. Said strips 4 form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiperblade 2, as it were, which is thus biassed in a curved position (thecurvature in operative position being that of a windscreen to be wiped).Neighbouring ends of strips 4 are interconnected on either side of thewindscreen wiper device 1 by means of connecting pieces 6 functioning asclamping members. In this embodiment, the connecting pieces 6 areseparate constructional elements, which may be form-locked (“positivelocking” or “having positive fit”) as well as force-locked to the endsof strips 4. In another preferred variant, said connecting pieces 6 arein one piece with the strips 4 made of spring band steel. In the lattercase said connecting pieces form transverse bridges for the strips 4, asit were. Possibly, a spoiler 5 is furthermore provided.

The windscreen wiper device 1 is furthermore built up of a connectingdevice 7 of plastic material for an oscillating wiper arm 8. Said wiperarm 8 is finalized by an extension (without an adapter). Connectingdevice 7 consists of a first part 7′ and a second part 7″ detachablyconnected together, wherein said first part 7′ is retained onto thewiperblade 2 and wherein said second part 7″ is positioned within saidfirst part 7′. Said first part 7′ has a U-shaped cross-section andcomprises clamping members that are integral therewith, which engageround longitudinal sides of the strips 4 that face away from each other,as a result of which the connecting device 7 is firmly attached to theunit consisting of wiper blade 2 and strips 4. The oscillating wiper arm8 is pivotally connected to the connecting device 7 about a pivot axisnear one end, and that in the following manner.

With reference to FIG. 2 said second part 7″ comprises two cylindricalprotrusions 10 extending outwards on either side of said second part 7″(FIG. 2 a). These protrusions 10 pivotally engage in identically shapedcylindrical holes 11 of said part 7′ (FIG. 2 b). After said second part7″ is placed into said first part 7′ (with play) by hand, the free end 9of the oscillating arm 8 is inserted into said second part 7″ (FIG. 2b). As a consequence thereof each leg 12 of the U-shaped cross-sectionof the second part 7″ is allowed to bend outwardly resulting in a clickor snap connection between both parts 7′ and 7″ (FIG. 2 c). Saidprotrusions 10 act as bearing surfaces at the location of a pivot axisin order to pivot the second part 7″ (and the oscillating wiper arm 8attached thereto) about said pivot axis near one end 9 of said arm 8.The protrusions 10 are preferably in one piece with said second part 7″;in the alternative, the protrusions 10 are part of a single pivot pinperpendicular to the connecting device 7. Said connecting device 7 maybe equipped with a cover or cap in order to obtain an aestheticappearance thereof, to avoid sharp edges and to provide protectionagainst UV-light etcetera.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a and 4, the second part 7″ comprises a resilienttongue 13 extending inwardly, while the oscillating arm 8 has anidentically shaped hole 14 with a closed circumference at the locationof its connection to said second part 7″, so that said tongue 13 engagesin said hole 14 (FIG. 4). While mounting the oscillating wiper arm 8into said second part 7′, the resilient tongue 13 is initially pushedout against a spring force and then allowed to spring back into saidhole 14, thus snapping, that is clipping the resilient tongue 13 intothe hole 14. This is a so-called bayonet-connection. As can be seen fromFIG. 3 a, the second part 7″ is provided with a channel-like section 15for receiving the free end 9 of the oscillating arm 8.

The resilient tongue 13 on said second part 7″ and the hole 14 in theoscillating arm 8 are meant for retaining the connecting device 7 ontothe oscillating arm 8 and are therefore called “first retaining means”.However, in case the first retaining means would disfunction, forexample when the resilient tongue 13 would not properly fit into thehole 14, the second part 7″ and the first part 7′ connected theretowould be able to move relative to the oscillating arm 8 in longitudinaldirection of the wiper blade 2. In order to avoid the wiper blade 2 fromcoming loose, with all negative consequences involved, second retainingmeans are provided for. Said second retaining means consist of anupwardly extending protrusion 16 on said first part 7′ cooperating witha second hole 17 having a closed circumference in the oscillating arm 8(FIGS. 3 b and 4). Said protrusion 16 may also be called a cam.

FIGS. 5A and 5B refer to another preferred embodiment, whereinalternative second retaining means are shown in the sense that the firstpart 7′ comprises an upwardly extending protrusion or cam 18 cooperatingwith a notch 19 at the location of a longitudinal edge of theoscillating arm 8. Said notch 19 has opposite stop surfaces 20,21 sothat the protrusion 18 in assembled position is present between saidstop surfaces 20,21.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B yet another preferred embodiment is shown, wherein anupwardly extending protrusion or cam 22 on the first part 7′ cooperateswith a recess 23 at the location of a longitudinal edge of theoscillating arm 8. Said recess 23 is provided with opposite stopsurfaces 24,25 for accommodating the protrusion 18 between these stopsurfaces 24,25 in assembled position.

For mounting or dismounting the connecting device 7 onto or from theoscillating arm 8, the second part 7″ and thus the free end 9 of theoscillating arm 8 connected thereto is pivoted relative to the firstpart 7′ (FIGS. 2A through 2C). While carrying out the pivot movement theprotrusion or cam 16,18,22 is no longer in line with the hole 17,19 orthe recess 23 and cannot mutually cooperate any longer, so that thesecond part 7″ and the first part 7′ attached thereto can be releasedfrom the oscillating arm 8. This can, of course, only be done when alsothe resilient tongue 13 in all embodiments is released from the hole 14.

The invention is not restricted to the variants shown in the drawing,but it also extends to other embodiments that fall within the scope ofprotection.

1. A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrierelement, an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can beplaced in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped and includes opposinglongitudinal grooves on longitudinal sides thereof, in which groovesspaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed,wherein neighbor ring ends of said longitudinal strips areinterconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiperdevice further comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm,wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connected to said connectingdevice about a pivot axis near one end, said connecting device includingat least two parts provided with protrusion/hole means for detachablyconnecting said parts together, wherein said first part is retained ontosaid wiper blade and wherein said second part has an at leastsubstantially U-shaped cross-section at the location of its connectionto said first part, wherein each leg of said U-shaped cross-section isbendable outwardly in response to insertion of said oscillating arm intosaid second part for connecting said first and second parts togetherthrough a snapping operation.
 2. A windscreen wiper device according toclaim 1, wherein each leg of said U-shaped cross-section is bendablebetween a first position, wherein said first and second parts areconnected together through a snapping operation upon insertion of theoscillating arm into said second part, and a second position, whereinsaid first and second parts are released from each other upon removingthe oscillating arm from said second part.
 3. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said first part is provided with oppositeabutting surfaces for abutting against the legs of the U-shapedcross-section, and wherein a protrusion extends laterally outwardly fromeach leg of the U-shaped cross-section into a hole provided on anabutting surface abutting against a respective leg.
 4. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 1, wherein said first part is providedwith opposite abutting surfaces for abutting against the legs of theU-shaped cross-section, and wherein a protrusion extends laterallyinwardly from each abutting surface into a hole provided on a legabutting against a respective abutting surface.
 5. A windscreen wiperdevice according to claim 1, wherein the second part is positioned atleast substantially within said first part.
 6. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said first part comprises engaging membersmade integral therewith for engaging around the longitudinal sides ofthe longitudinal strips that face away from each other.
 7. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 1, wherein said second part comprises atleast one resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped holeprovided in the oscillating arm, and wherein said resilient tongue isrotatable along a hinge axis between an outward position retaining thewiper blade onto the oscillating arm and an inward position releasingthe wiper blade from the oscillating arm.
 8. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein said resilient tongue is forced in theoutward position under the influence of a moment in case a force isexerted on the wiper blade in a direction away from the oscillating arm.9. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 8, wherein acounterforce exerted by the oscillating arm on the resilient tongueengages at a point located behind the hinge axis, seen in the directionof the force exerted on the wiper blade.
 10. A windscreen wiper bladeaccording to claim 7, wherein the hinge axis is located near an outeredge of said second part.
 11. A windscreen wiper device according toclaim 7, wherein said hole has a closed circumference.
 12. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 1, wherein said windscreen wiper deviceis provided with first and second retaining means for retaining saidconnecting device onto said oscillating arm, wherein said firstretaining means comprises said at least one resilient tongue engaging insaid correspondingly shaped hole, and wherein said second retainingmeans comprise at least one protrusion provided on the first partengaging the oscillating arm.
 13. A windscreen wiper device according toclaim 12, wherein said protrusion engages into a correspondingly shapedhole with a closed circumference provided on the oscillating arm.
 14. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 12, wherein said protrusionengages into a correspondingly shaped hole with an open circumferenceprovided on a longitudinal side of the oscillating arm.
 15. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 12, wherein said protrusion engages intoa correspondingly shaped recess provided on the oscillating arm.